ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
PM wishes President of Maldives H. E. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for successful surgery
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has wished the President of Maldives H. E. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for a successful surgery and a quick recovery.
In response to a tweet by the President of Maldives, the Prime Minister said;
"I convey my best wishes to President @ibusolih for a successful surgery and a quick recovery."
The President of Maldives H. E. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has thanked Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for his kind words.
The President of Maldives tweeted;
"Thank you Prime Minister for your kind words."
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and all those greats who marched to Dandi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and all the eminent persons who marched to Dandi in order to protest injustice and protect our nation’s self-esteem.
The Prime Minister has also shared his speech from 2019, when he had dedicated National Salt Satyagraha Memorial to the nation.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
''Tributes to Gandhi Ji and all those greats who marched to Dandi in order to protest injustice and protect our nation’s self-esteem.
Sharing my speech from 2019 when the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial in Dandi was dedicated to the nation."
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
SUBSIDY ON FERTILIZERS
Urea is provided to the farmers at a statutorily notified Maximum Retail Price . The MRP of 45 kg bag of urea is Rs.242 per bag . The difference between the delivered cost of urea at farm gate and net market realization by the urea units is given as subsidy to the urea manufacturer/importer by the Government of India. Accordingly, all farmers  are being supplied urea at the subsidized rates.
Further, the Government has implemented Nutrient Based Subsidy Policy w.e.f. 1.4.2010 for Phosphatic and Potassic  Fertilizers. Under the policy, a fixed amount of subsidy, decided on annual basis, is provided on subsidized P&K fertilizers depending on their nutrient content. Under this policy, MRP is fixed by fertilizer companies as per market dynamics at reasonable level which is monitored by the Government. Accordingly, any farmer, including poor and marginal farmers, who is buying these fertilizers is getting benefit of subsidy.
As per the final report prepared by Agricultural Development and Rural Transformation Centre , Bengaluru, Neem Coated Urea has led to:
 Improvement in soil quality.
 Decrease in cost of pest & disease control and weed management.
 Improvement in the yield of all crops and their by-products.
 Highest incremental income in case of tur, followed by sugarcane, soybean, paddy, jute and maize crops.
 Diversion of normal urea to other than crop production purposes has completely stopped post introduction of Neem Coated Urea.
The information was given by the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Bhagwanth Khuba in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Home Affairs
The Government of India invites nominations for the “Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar” for excellence in the field of Disaster Management
These awards are announced on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on 23rd January every year
Nominations of Individuals and Institutions can be uploaded at “www.dmawards.ndma.gov.in” up to 31st Aug 2020
The Government of India invites nominations for the “Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar” for excellence in the field of Disaster Management. The online process of application for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskaar is presently open. Nominations of Individuals and Institutions can be uploaded at “www.dmawards.ndma.gov.in” up to 31stAug 2020. These awards are announced on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on 23rd January every year.
The Government of India has instituted Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskaar to recognise the excellent work done by the individuals and institutions in the field of disaster management. In addition to a certificate, these awards carry a cash award of Rs 51 lakhs for an Institution and Rs 5 lakhs for an Individual.
An individual can apply for the award as well as nominate other person or institution. The nominated individual or institution should have worked in any area of disaster management like Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Rescue, Response, Relief, Rehabilitation, Research, Innovation or early warning in India.
Disasters affect lives, livelihoods and property across the entire spectrum of our society. Disasters also evoke a sense of compassion and selfless service across the nation. In the aftermath of a disaster, different sections of our society come together and work towards alleviating the suffering of those affected by the disasters. The Government’s efforts to save lives through mitigation, risk reduction, effective response, and build back better are often augmented by the hard work of community based organisations, selfless volunteers, dedicated Non Government Organisations, conscientious corporate, academic and research institutions and individuals. Many organisations and individuals are working silently but persistently on mitigation and preparedness so that the impact of future disasters can be minimized. There is a need to recognise the efforts of individuals and organisations who have been working assiduously to alleviate human suffering caused by disasters.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates P V Sindhu on winning Gold medal in Badminton at CWG 2022
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated P V Sindhu on winning the Gold medal in Badminton at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"The phenomenal @Pvsindhu1 is a champion of champions! She repeatedly shows what excellence is all about. Her dedication and commitment is awe-inspiring. Congratulations to her on winning the Gold medal at the CWG. Wishing her the best for her future endeavours."
President's Secretariat
President of India Addresses the 15th FICCI Higher Education Summit
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, addressed the 15th FICCI Higher Education Summit in New Delhi today . This Summit is being organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the world of tomorrow will be driven by knowledge, machine-intelligence and digital pathways. To prepare ourselves for this transformation and to leverage its limitless opportunities, we have to recast our higher education with new courses and deeper research-orientation. Ideation, innovation and incubation should be given primacy in our curriculum. India has the third largest scientific human resource pool in the world. If we establish robust academia-industry linkages, we have the potential to become the R&D capital of the world. And along with science, liberal arts and humanities must get equal attention - for fruits of technology have to be ultimately made relevant to people, communities and cultures.
The President said that spirit of inquiry, critical thinking and an overall culture of looking at what, how and why of issues and perspectives needs to be nurtured. Creativity, imagination and thought in the minds of our students have to be unlocked and its exuberance allowed to flow and flower. To bring about this educational renaissance, we would require attitudinal adjustments and openness about new concepts on several fronts: at the level of academic leadership; at the level of student-teacher engagement; and at the level of technology integration.
The President said that the world of higher education is an expansive one. For it to grow and empower us, we need support from all stakeholders - policymakers, educationists, researchers, entrepreneurs and others. Given the socio-economic reality of our country, public institutions will play a lead role. But along with it, the private sector must continue to contribute to national efforts.
Prime Minister's Office
PM shares citizen’s video on Vande Bharat
The Prime Minister has shared a citizen’s video about his experience in Vande Bharat Express.
Retweeting a tweet by Press Information Bureau, Rajasthan’s handle that shared the video on Vande Bharat, the Prime Minister said;
“Enjoyed watching RJ Sufi highlight his Vande Bharat journey.”
Ministry of Defence
Air Marshal MSG Menon VSM assumes charge as Air Officer-in-Charge Administration
Air Marshal MSG Menon VSM takes over as Air Officer-in-Charge Administration of Indian Air Force with effect from 01 Jan 2020.
Air Marshal MSG Menon VSM was commissioned in Administrative branch of IAF in Dec 1982. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Calicut University.
He has undergone Higher Air Command Course from College of Air Warfare. He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College Wellington and the prestigious National Defence College.
The Air Marshal is a Cat ‘AYE’ Air Traffic Controller and has commanded an operational radar unit at a major flying station. He was a member of the first UN Mission to Sudan. He has tenanted the appointments of Chief Administrative Officer at a major AF Station and Director at National Defence University. He has served as the Commandant of the prestigious Air Force Administrative College, Coimbatore and Principal Director Ops . On promotion to Air Vice Marshal, he tenanted the appointment of Assistant Chief Of Air Staff  and Assistant Chief of Air Staff .
Prior to taking over as Air Officer-in-Charge Administration, he was the Director General  at Air HQ.
For his distinguished service, the Air Marshal was commended by the VCAS in the year 2007. He was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal  by the Hon’ble President of India in the year 2016.
He is married to Mrs. Lakshmi Menon and they are blessed with a daughter who is a micro biologist and is married.
President's Secretariat
President of India’s Greetings on the eve of Diwali
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has sent his greetings to his fellow citizens on the eve of Diwali.
In a message, the President has said, “On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all the fellow citizens living in India and abroad.
This festival, celebrated by people of various religions and sects strengthens the sense of unity, goodwill and fraternity among the people of our country. The festival inspires us to work for the service of humanity.
Let us, on this occasion, resolve to become a lamp of hope and prosperity for the poor, destitute and needy people of the society by sharing our happiness just as a lamp lightens many lamps by sharing its light. Diwali is also a festival of cleanliness, so let us honor mother-nature by celebrating pollution-free, environment friendly and clean Diwali.
May this grand festival of happiness and light bring delight, peace and prosperity to each and every house of our country”.
Click here to see President's message in Hindi
Every year, as per approved annual Field Season Programme [FSP], Geological Survey of India, an attached office of Ministry of Mines, takes up different stages of mineral exploration namely reconnaissance surveys , preliminary exploration  and general exploration following the guidelines of United Nations Framework Classification  and Mineral Evidence and Mineral Content Rules  for augmenting mineral resource for various mineral commodities including lithium.
During FSP 2016-17 to FSP 2020-21, GSI carried out 14 projects on Lithium and associated elements in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Karnataka and Rajasthan. During the present FSP 2021-22, GSI has taken up 7 projects on Lithium in Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan. However, resource of lithium has not yet been augmented by GSI.
Further, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research , a constituent unit of Department Atomic Energy ,has undertaken exploration for lithium in potential geological domains in parts of Karnataka and Rajasthan. AMDER has also taken up subsurface exploration in Marlagalla area, Mandya district, Karnataka. Reconnaissance surveys have been also carried out along Saraswati River palaeochannel, in Jodhpur and Barmer districts, Rajasthan for locating lithium mineralisation associated with brine . Preliminary surveys on surface and limited
subsurface exploration by AMD, have shown presence of Lithium resources of 1,600 tonnes  in the pegmatites of Marlagalla – Allapatna area, Mandya district, Karnataka.
As per the available records, Lithium bearing minerals are in Part B ‘Atomic Minerals’ of First Schedule to MMDR Act, 1957 and their reserves/resources are not available in National Mineral Inventory.
Under the aegis of Ministry of Mines, a joint venture company named ‘Khanij Bidesh India Ltd.  has been formed by three CPSEs namely National Aluminium Company Limited ,Hindustan Copper Limited  and Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited with equity participation of 40:30:30 respectively, to acquire mineral assets overseas – primarily the critical & strategic minerals including Lithium, Cobalt & others and NOT Rare Earth Elements.
KABIL has signed Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] with non-disclosure agreement with the following three State-owned organizations of Argentina, for the purpose of information sharing w.r.t. prospective mineral acreages:
- M/s JEMSE, a State-owned enterprise of JUJUY province on 10th July, 2020,
- M/S YPF an Energy major & federal owned enterprises on 9th September, 2020, and
- M/s CAMYEN, a state owned enterprise of CATAMARCA province on 29th December, 2020.
This information was given by the Minister of Mines, Coal and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Shri Bhupender Yadav launches e-passbook for EPFO members, inaugurates crèche facility in 63 regional offices of EPFO
Union Minister for Labor and Employment Shri Bhupender Yadav today launched e-passbook for the benefit and convenience of the EPFO members enabling them to view more details of their accounts in graphical representations. Shri Yadav inaugurated crèche facility in 63 regional offices of EPFO where 100 or more employees are working and laid foundation Stone of the office building of Regional Office Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The Office building of Regional Office Keonjhar, Odisha was also virtually inaugurated by the Union Minister.
Earlier the 233rd meeting of Central Board of Trustees, EPF was held during which the following decisions were taken:
- The Board approved the Revised Estimates for the year 2022-23 and Budget Estimates for the year 2023-24 for schemes administered by EPFO.
- The Board approved the five year perspective plan for enhancement of physical infrastructure of EPFO which includes purchase of land, building construction and special repairs, involving cost of Rs.2200 crores.
- The Board was apprised on the actions taken towards compliance of the Supreme Court judgment regarding Pension on higher wages and measures taken to facilitate filing of options etc
- The Board approved the proposal for conversion of status of EPFO from Associate Member to Affiliate Member in International Social Security Association  that was in line with the EPFO@2047 vision document and would enable EPFO to play a bigger role in the international social security platform of ISSA.
- CBT approved the umbrella MoU signed between EPFO and NTA for conduct of various examinations. The first action has been initiated as per the MoU by notification of Direct Recruitment Examination in the cadres of Social Security Assistant and Stenographer.
- The Board approved constitution of Committee for recommending amendments in the Employees’ Provident Fund  regulations, 2008.
- The Board approved the proposal for extension of AMC of Portfolio Managers.
- The Board approved the proposal for investing the proceeds of ETF Investments in any of the permissible category of investments subject to the limit prescribed for that category.
A presentation was made before the CBT on EPFO’s initiative Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0. This District Outreach Programme is being conducted throughout the country on 27th of every month. The members of the CBT had live interaction with the district camps at Vadodara  and Baksa . Shri Yadav appreciated and congratulated everyone for the successful conduct of Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Ministry of Agriculture to organise various awareness activities tomorrow as part of the ongoing ‘Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Hamari’ campaign
To commemorate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Agriculture is organizing a week long special campaign on ‘Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Hamari’ to create awareness on various schemes and their benefits for the farming community across the country. As part of the campaign, MoA&FW, Department of Agricultural Research and Education , Ministry of Rural Development will hold wide range of awareness activities tomorrow.
As part of the campaign, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare will organize demonstration on farm machinery through their FMTTIs  at different locations across the country tomorrow. FMTTIs will also impart training to the women farmers simultaneously. Along with the physical field visits, online webinar will also be organised to provide interface between innovators and industries.
The Ministry will organise field visits to Sunflower cultivation sites in Ambala Kurukshetra  Fatehgarh Saheb  and mustard farms in Jammu, Kathua and Udhampur . Kisan Goshti, programmes will also be organised to make farmers aware about the benefits of cultivation of cash crops.
Webinar & Awareness Programme on improved production technology of high value & exotic vegetable crops under protected cultivation will also be organised at CIH, Nagaland & State Horticulture Department of NER. Training on microrhizome based disease free planting material production in Ginger and Turmeric will be provided by Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development at Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur. Various online activities will also be held on beekeeping by National Bee Board . Krishi Mela on Cashew will organised by the Directorate of Cashew & Cocoa Development. A Webinar on ODOP Products, Horticulture Cluster Development will be organised by National Horticulture Board  at State Level Offices of National Horticulture Board and at State Horticulture Missions.
Simultaneously, all the allied Ministries and Departments are also organising various programmes as a part of ‘Kisan Bhagidari Prathamikta Hamari’ which include a nationwide campaign through ICAR Institutes on Bio-fortification, Nutri-Cereals, Millets cultivation and on crop Diversification. Watershed Management Division of Department of Land Resources is organizing a webinar on the subject "Integrated Watershed Development, its contribution towards sustainable utilization of natural resources, enhancing livelihood and incomes of farmers".
During the week-long campaign, farmers are being made aware about key schemes and their perspectives, how to avail benefits of the welfare schemes. Various field visits, interaction with the industries are also being organised to give exposure to the farmers.
Ministry of Defence
DRDO successfully flight-tests Pinaka Missile System off Odisha coast
Pinaka Missile System developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation  was successfully flight-tested from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the Odisha coast at 1200 hrs today. The Pinaka is an Artillery Missile System capable of striking into enemy territory up to a range of 75 kilometres with high precision.
The Pinaka MK-II Rocket is modified as a missile by integrating with the Navigation, Control and Guidance System to improve the end accuracy and enhance the range. The Navigation system of the missile is also aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System .
The mission achieved all the objectives including enhancing the range, accuracy and sub-system functionality. The missile was fired from Pinaka launcher system in deployment configuration. The flight article was tracked by multiple range systems viz. Telemetry, Radars, Electro-optical targeting system , etc. which confirmed the text book flight performance.
The missile system has been jointly developed by various DRDO Laboratories viz. Armament Research & Development Establishment , Research Centre Imarat , Defence Research and Development Laboratory , Proof & Experimental Establishment  and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory .
The trial was conducted under the supervision of Director RCI Shri BHVS Narayana Murthy, Director ARDE Dr V Venkateswara Rao, Director ITR Dr BK Das, and Director PXE Shri DK Joshi.
Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy congratulated the teams involved in the flight trial.
ABB/Nampi/DK/Savvy/MTJ/ADA
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Pension Coverage to Trading Community
Retail is one of the primary forces driving India’s economy. As per Indian Brand Equity Foundation  analysis, 2019, retail industry contributes 10 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product  and around 8 per cent to employment. It is also extensively linked with other labour-intensive sectors, such as agriculture, food and beverage, textiles, construction, real estate, and logistics. Further, it indirectly generates job opportunities in allied  sectors, including warehousing, logistics and packaging.
The Government has approved a pension scheme for shopkeeper’s/ retail traders and self-employed persons for providing monthly minimum assured pension of ₹3000/- for the entry age group of 18-40 years. It is a voluntary and contribution based central sector scheme. The salient features of the scheme are:
 All shopkeepers/retail-traders/ self-employed persons in the age group of 18-40 years are eligible to be the member, on self-declaration.
 A shop keeper/ retail-trader /self-employed person if registered with GSTN, his/ her firm’s annual turnover should not exceed ₹1.5 crore.
 He/she should not be an income tax payee.
 He/she should not be a member of EPFO/ESIC/NPS/PM-SYM.
 The Central Government’s share will be matching to the subscriber’s contribution
This information was given by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, PiyushGoyal, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.